Negotiations for the Philippines-Canada free trade agreement (FTA) may be concluded within this year as both parties accelerate talks, with the inaugural negotiation just concluded on February 18-20 and the second round already scheduled for April also to be held in Manila.
“We had a very positive progress and if we can sustain the momentum and be pragmatic in approach there is a good probability that we can conclude negotiations this year,” said Trade and Industry Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty following the conclusion of the first round of bilateral negotiation.
Gepty said that the directive to the negotiation team is to fast track all FTA deals. “So, we will work hard for it,” he said in a text message.
Led by the DTI and Global Affairs Canada, negotiating teams from both countries began text-based and conceptual discussions across key areas of the FTA. The discussions were guided by progress achieved in the ongoing ASEAN-Canada FTA negotiations, said Gepty.
This inaugural round marks a significant milestone toward strengthening bilateral ties and advancing a meaningful, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking free trade agreement through enhanced market access, increased investment flows, and stronger economic cooperation between the two countries.
Gepty underscored the significant and strategic value of this engagement in the context of our bilateral partnership. “Moving forward, we see this FTA as a milestone in our overall trade and investment relations as this will be our first FTA in the North American region,” he said.
The launch of bilateral FTA negotiations between the Philippines and Canada was endorsed during the Leaders’ Meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Prime Minister Mark Carney in October 2025, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to deepen economic cooperation and expand trade and investment opportunities.
